We Rise Business Accelerator celebrates its 100th graduate
Local First Arizona’s We Rise Business Accelerator celebrated its 100th graduate in July 2024, with the latest class of 15 entrepreneurs completing the program.
We Rise, which launched in 2020, is a no-fee, six-month business education course offering comprehensive and practical business skills to Arizona’s Black entrepreneurs.
Meeting bi-weekly, business owners receive classroom instruction and mentorship from Black entrepreneurs with firsthand experience and expertise in starting or growing a small business in Arizona.
The We Rise business accelerator exposes start-up or experienced businesses that are missing fundamental components of entrepreneurship to the nuts and bolts needed to build a successful business in Arizona’s economy.
From children’s toys and landscape design to mental wellness services and fried vegan comfort food, the businesses cover a wide range of specialties.
Meet the newest We Rise graduates:
AltruCare | Kalisa Moore
AltruCare is a business and personal consulting company. We help to build strong company cultures that are people-focused and nurture a servant leader mindset. Our purpose is to help companies and the people who lead them utilize the best strengths of their employees, set themselves apart from their competitors, and improve the lives of their stakeholders.
Berry Cultured | Heidi Calderon
Welcome to Berry Cultured, where we inspire children to live creatively, embrace joyfully, and aspire confidently. Our diverse range of products reflect our passion for fun and imagination. Berry Cultured fosters a world of wonder and play, enriching children's lives with cultural awareness, positivity, and affection. Each product is crafted to celebrate childhood imagination while honoring cultural roots.
Chef Druw | Andruw Ukandu
Chef Druw specializes in comfort fusion cuisine with a contemporary flair. We meticulously prepare ready-to-eat meals tailored for busy individuals and families, along with catering services. Our menu showcases dishes like thyme-roasted chicken with jollof rice. Each dish is expertly crafted to deliver a unique culinary experience.
Heal With Juice | Donna Whittington
Heal With Juice is founded on my personal journey of resilience and wellness following a battle with breast cancer. Our delivery service offers organic juice, wellness boosts, and other healthy options. We prioritize locally grown organic produce and sustainable packaging, ensuring each delivery is both nourishing and environmentally conscious.
Eighty-Eight Acres | Kaylee Colter
Founded in 2018 by Kaylee Colter, Eighty-Eight Acres is dedicated to implementing sustainable design practices in residential landscape architecture. Our mission is to empower clients to cultivate purposeful landscapes. We envision urban areas as productive spaces capable of supporting habitat, food production, water conservation, and community enrichment.
EveRooted Beauti | Ellide Smith
We offer a curated selection of premium, cruelty-free beauty products tailored for textured hair and diverse shades of melanated skin. Over 85% of our offerings are from Black-owned brands, highlighting their contributions to the industry while promoting inclusivity and quality.
Hot Sauce and Pepper | Tajia and Aaron Junior
Hot Sauce and Pepper, the home of the Caulifyah Wings, offers unparalleled vegan comfort food. Using pure, sustainable ingredients, we transform deep-fried plants into delicious, guilt-free dishes. Our crunchy, flavorful vegan wings, paired with unique sauces like Sweet and Spicy Mambo, are a customer favorite.
Line of Stylez | Caroline Martin
Line of Stylez is a natural hair salon offering a variety of hair services. We also host educational workshops for children aged 10 and older, based on the book "How I Detangle My Natural Hair," called Youth Hair Talk. Committed to community support, Line of Stylez hosts back-to-school events providing free hair services, haircuts, and school supplies.
Locs By Shalena | Shalena Sutherlin
Specializing in Sisterlock and Microlock services, I offer installation, maintenance, and color services, along with expert advice on healthy styling options for men and women embracing their natural hair and locs. The Sisterlocks method provides healthy, versatile styling options suitable for professional, casual, and elegant settings alike.
Pamhasfavor | Pamela smith
Pamhasfavor, LLC is a coaching service dedicated to empowering middle-aged women. We assist and encourage our clients to unlock their fullest potential as they navigate life's complexities. Offering a roadmap to self-discovery, resilience, and renewed purpose, we employ tailored strategies that inspire transformative shifts in mindset, foster confidence, and embrace change.
Real Women Revealed | Audrey Bell-Jenkins
Real Women Revealed, LLC empowers women and girls through mentorships, professional development programs, and empowerment events. We offer workforce strategies, mental wellness workshops to support gainful employment and conduct personalized assessments to identify strengths and career opportunities.
Refreshed Rest | Khandle Hedrick
Refreshed Rest is dedicated to crafting and offering 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Scripture Pillowcases that embody luxury and thoughtful design. Our products are infused with meaningful scripture, blending beauty with spiritual upliftment to create a unique and enriching bedtime ritual. Discover the essence of relaxation and rejuvenation with Refreshed Rest's premium silk pillowcases, designed to enhance your sleep and daily renewal.
Sculpt88 | Cidni Zeigler
This body sculpting business specializes in transformative techniques designed to sculpt and contour your physique. Using advanced technologies and personalized treatments, we help individuals achieve their desired aesthetic goals, fostering confidence and self-assurance in every client we serve.
Stretchency® | Alisa Fleming
Stretchency® is a community-focused enterprise dedicated to youth development. We believe in unlocking the potential of every individual by connecting them to transformative opportunities. Our tailored programs are designed to instill character, resilience, and confidence, partnering with nonprofits and organizations committed to nurturing youth success.
Uncharted Healthcare | Janet Tate-Brown
Uncharted Healthcare PLLC provides comprehensive healthcare and mental health services. Our culturally-based approach ensures holistic care with a focus on improving compliance and health outcomes, particularly addressing social determinants affecting the African American community.
Learn more about Local First Arizona’s We Rise Business Accelerator at localfirstaz.com/we-rise.
